Wenqing Zhu，Xinyan Bai，Wenbo Du，Lingyu Li，Marie-Laure Fauconnier,Aurore Richel,Hongjing Dong,Zhenjia Zheng

Abstract

In this study, two modified turmeric starch-dioscin-curcumin nanocarriers were synthesized by antisolvent co-precipitation (ASCP) and antisolvent precipitation (ASP) methods, with dioscin serving as a natural surfactant. Subsequently, the structural characteristics, physical stability, and curcumin sustained release properties of nanocarriers were comprehensively characterized. The results indicated that both modified nanocarriers exhibited similar morphology and functional groups, along with enhanced physical stability and storage stability. Both ASCP and ASP methods reduced the particle size of nanocarriers while enhancing encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity. Notably, the nanocarrier prepared using the ASCP method exhibited the smallest particle size (260.50 ± 9.01 nm), the highest encapsulation efficiency (59.06 ± 1.73 %), and the greatest loading capacity (7.18 ± 0.21 μg/mg). Additionally, the release rate and bioavailability of ASCP-TS-CUR were approximately 23 and 20 times higher than free curcumin, respectively. These findings support the potential of dioscin-modified starch nanocarriers for the effective delivery of hydrophobic compounds, and the ASCP method was proved to have better modification effects, providing a novel green strategy for the construction of delivery systems.

Paper Linkage:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.123263